each year, i love pouring through our christmas cards from friends and family far and near. we keep them out all season as decor on a cork board in the center of our great room. when christmas is over, i gather all the photos together and hole punch them and put them on a loose-leaf ring to keep them together. it’s so fun to see how families grow and change over the year.

i rarely get around to sending our own cards. eek!! i know. i’m one of those “thanks for the card but i’m too busy to send mine” people. and we only take family pictures every few years. every year i tell myself, “this is the year i will send out cards!”, but it just seems that i can’t get around to sending them out. for the last 10 years. #shame

this year will be different! i’ve been browsing minted and they have so many amazing designs that are modern and keepsake worthy! so for all of you who are running behind on your christmas cards, i’ve picked my favorites to share with you!

click the link to your favorite, insert a great photo, and done! plus you can get FREE recipient addressing, so they arrive in the mail to you just needing a stamp. i can do stamps. actually … the kids can do the stamps. ;)

and while i’m at it, this personalized gift wrap is calling my name. i can’t decide on my favorite! the wreath with the photo is adorable but i also love the non traditional black floral print too! too many choices!!!

still slacking on your cards? the fine folks at minted want to help!!!

TWO (2) winners will receive $125 towards their purchase on minted! that’s a lot of cards and giftwrap or whatever else your heart desires! woo hoo! entry is easy, just enter your name. that’s it. you have time for that!

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several years ago sean & i came up with the idea of family olympics for his side of the family. we alternate holidays with them so we always do it the day after thanksgiving or the day after christmas, depending on which holiday we’re all together. really, it was our secret ploy to get his whole family to commit an entire day together, without the pull of other family or friends. for the most part, our plan has worked… heeheehee ;)

each year the olympics change, but a few things stay the same. we always start by dividing into 2 teams, trying to find an equal balance, and splitting up couples. then we choose super wacky names. this year we let the youngest team members choose the names and they came up with “team popsicles vs team starburstses”. and team rivalry is big!

we always start the same. we gather in the park across the street from his parents house and begin by singing the national anthem. its pretty loud & obnoxious!

this is an ALL-DAY function for our family and its so fun! we usually start late morning at the park, head back to the house for lunch, then do more games until dinner time. we usually end with pizzas and once we even headed to the bowling alley after!